Ecologically Sustainable Mosquito Repellence Using Live Artemisia Annua Linnaeus Plants in Boarding Schools of MWEA Rice Irrigation Scheme, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mbulo, Thomas Mutua
Gikonyo, Nicholas Kamindu
Kabiru, Ephantus Wanjohi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Mosquito Research
Abstract
Mosquitoes continue to transmit malaria despite the use of several methods of control such as treated bed
nets, aerosols and repellent creams. Mosquito biting cause stress and medical problems to school going
children. An experimental ecological study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of two months
old potted Artemisia annua plants for mosquito repellence in boarding schools’ dormitories of Mwea
Rice Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Two months old potted live A.annua plants were hung next to doors and
windows of dormitories and mosquito collection for four months as per WHO protocol was done. The
study found significant differences in the mean mosquito catches in treatment dormitories in both girls
and boys boarding schools p-values of 0.005, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th months
respectively. The study concluded that live A.annua reduced mosquito density in dormitories of boarding
schools. Further there was reduction of mosquito density in neighbouring dormitories, as far as 50metres
where A. annua was not introduced. The study recommends that A.annua would be very important for
implementing vector control strategies to prevent man-vector contact for the prevention of vector borne
diseases.
The study recommends use of A.annua as vector control strategy to prevent man-vector contact for the
prevention of vector borne diseases.
Description
An Article Published in International Journal of Mosquito Research
Keywords
Artemisia annua, Anophelines, Repellency, Boarding schools